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dodgeball rules

Basic rules:

  • All Games reffed by a GRRS staff member.

  • 6-week dodgeball league! (Last 2 weeks being playoffs)

  • 8v8 games. (must have one female on the court)

  • The match is 55-minutes long made up of standard dodgeball games plus 2 'mini-games'.

  • every 'standard dodgeball game' and 'mini-game' is worth 1-point.

  • the team with the most points by the end of the 55-minute time limit wins.

  • the 'mini-games' are always the same & played during the 3rd and 6th games. each game in between will be standard dodgeball.

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standard dodgeball:

  • these are our standard rules, they apply to all games - mini games included.

  • win by eliminating all opponents.

    • five ways of getting eliminated (go to 'jail'):
  1. Getting hit with a 'live' ball at or below the shoulders. (if the ball touches the ground, ceiling, basketball hoop, or wall first than the ball is 'dead' and you are NOT out). (the ball must hit you first before anything else to eliminate you.)

  2. getting hit in the head while attempting to duck, DIP, or dive.

  3. throwing a ball that is caught by a opponent.

  4. crossing the center-line OR GOING OUT OF BOUNDS. (go to 'jail')

  5. attempting to block a thrown ball with a ball in hand, but dropping YOUR ball in hand as a result of a block.

  • for each thrown ball, the first impact is the only thing that matters.

    • if a thrown ball hits a player, bounces up into the air, then a teammate catches that ball - the player the ball hit first is still out. each player must catch a ball that hit them themself.

    • if a thrown ball is deflected with a 'shield ball' then ricochets into another teammate, that teammate is safe because the first impact was not them.

  • no face shots, if a player is hit in the face both players are not out (assuming that player did not dodge or dive into it the ball intentionally).

  • Clothes are considered part of the body. if your wearing a baggy shirt and it grazes just your shirt - you are out.

  • Get a teammate back in the game by catching a 'live' thrown ball.

  • no stalling, balls should be thrown at a reasonable duration of time. to keep the game moving the umpire may step in if balls are not thrown.​

  • jail - the eliminated players stand on the sideline near the half court line.

  • players in jail must re-enter the court in the order they were sent to jail.

game #3

"where's waldo"

  • every third game will be 'where's waldo'

  • This game uses all of the same rules as our 'standard dodgeball' with the addition of one special rule.

  • both teams pick a 'waldo' on their own team. they tell the referee who their 'waldo' is & if at any point either 'waldo' is eliminated, the team that did so wins the game.​

game #6

"6-pin" (or in this case; "4-pin")

  • every sixth game will be '6-pin'.

  • This game uses all of the same rules as our 'standard dodgeball' with the addition of bowling pins and a rule or two.

  • Each team places two bowling pins anywhere on their back line.

  • Pins can be knocked over by a rolled ball, thrown ball, or accidentally by a team member. all these are legal and count.

  • if a team knocks down one bowling pin that team gets 4 players out of jail.

  • if both bowling pins are knocked over, the game is over and the team to do so is awarded the win.

  • the game can also be won by eliminating all players.

​​

Jailbreaks​​​

  • 'Full team jailbreak' card:

    • each team receives one 'full team jailbreak' card at the beginning of each match.

    • both teams can use the 'full team jailbreak' at any point of any match as long as it is not during the final 1-minute of gameplay.

    • the card must be given to the referee and in his/her hands to declare the 'jailbreak'.

    • once in the ref's hands, they will declare "Jailbreak" and the whole team is allowed to come out of jail and continue to play.

    • eliminated players are allowed to give the 'jailbreak' card to the ref.

    • active players are allowed to give the 'jailbreak' card to the ref but have no protection and can still be eliminated.

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other rules and sportsmanship

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional head shot, explicit language, or badgering the referee may result in immediate ejection from the game, and one less starting player for any further games in the match. 

  • All 'outs' will be based off the honor and/or referee system.  A referee will be on hand to call 'outs' but cannot follow every thrown ball.  If a dispute occurs the referee will solve the problem any way deemed appropriate. All decisions by the referee are final.

  • any Dodgeball rules may be changed or called to a vote by the team captains during the course of the season. All teams will be notified of any changes.

  • Input from all players and team captains are highly encouraged.

GRRecSports

(616) 485-9046 (CALL OR TEXT)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503

©2022 by GR Rec Sports llc

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